The catastrophic drop in the stock prices of artificial intelligence equipment manufacturers, resulting in a $1.3 trillion loss, has become a sign of an overheated AI market. However, according to analysts, this event is unlikely to have a significant impact on the rapidly growing project logistics sector, which continues to expand amid the ongoing AI boom.

Situation in the Chip and AI Market

The largest microchip manufacturers have lost over $100 billion in market capitalization, with Nvidia alone seeing a $238 billion decline. The correction in the value of companies associated with artificial intelligence had been brewing for some time due to inflated expectations for revenue and profits. Nevertheless, the overall stock market drop was about 2%, which is much less severe than the collapse seen after the dot-com bubble burst.

Impact on Logistics and Freight Transportation

The surge in demand for semiconductors and AI equipment led to a 7% increase in global air cargo demand in June. Air freight, especially on routes from the Asia-Pacific region to North America, received additional support thanks to increased shipments related to AI. In the US, the project logistics sector is operating at full capacity, handling numerous projects connected to artificial intelligence.

Energy Infrastructure and Equipment

The rapid growth in the number of data centers and their high electricity needs require greater attention from logistics operators. Manufacturers of power generation equipment are expanding production and building new plants. The lead time for new transformers has increased from 6–12 months to 24–48 months, and large transformers now take more than 36 months to deliver. Since 2020, prices for this equipment have risen by 50–80%.

The high volume of transformer shipments in the US is causing a shortage of specialized equipment, especially railcars, whose availability remains extremely limited.

Impact on the Power Grid and Public Opinion

The demand from data centers for electricity and water for cooling is causing public concern. Power grids were already under strain before the AI boom, and fears of inflation have intensified amid the possibility of rising electricity bills. US authorities have suggested that major AI companies develop their own energy sources.

Development Prospects

Despite public dissatisfaction and the potential slowdown in AI facility construction, demand for electricity and the development of the artificial intelligence sector are expected to remain high in the long term. After a possible market correction, the number of AI suppliers may decrease, but overall demand will persist, much like what happened after the dot-com crash, when internet adoption continued despite the disappearance of many companies.

A slowdown in data center construction could ease the situation for industries struggling to obtain memory chips, as the AI sector has been consuming them in large quantities.